#Tryintostaypositive

Hey everyone!
So as many of you know summer break is now officially over for me. It is back to work/school I go.... I am actually glad to be going back to school and work. I usually want an extra week or so of summer vacation and wish that summer break could be longer. But this time I feel a little differently than I did before. :-) There are a few things in the works that I am soooo looking forward to right now!!! I can't share just yet. But when the time comes I will do so. ;-) 

One of the reasons that I am glad to be going back to school is so that I can get this year finished! I know, I know... The year is just beginning and I'm already thinking about it being over. Well here is why.... This is my last year of grad school and I am doing my internship this year. This year is going to be mad busy and crazy. Not only am I doing my internship, but I am also taking courses and taking this HUGE test that I need to take in order to graduate. :-/ So needless to say I cannot wait to get through this year and get DONE with school!!!!

I know that there will be some crazy and hectic times ahead, but I have decided to think positively. I know it sounds so cliche when people say "think positive thoughts" but it really makes a difference when you do that. For instance, last Friday was a crazy day for me. From the minute I woke up my day was craptacular... but as the day went on I made the decision to stay positive. It was hard at first because I was upset, tired, frustrated, etc. Even though my surroundings did not change, my thinking did. And honestly... it really made a difference. I told myself that I will focus on the things that I can change, try to be a better person/teacher and keep it moving. When I changed my thinking, my outlook on my situation changed and I actually felt myself feeling less stressed and happier than I did that morning. So my goal this year is to think positively, maintain a positive attitude, encourage those around me and be grateful for all that I have. I am grateful that I have a job, that I'm able to go to school, and that I have an awesome hubby who supports me. (I love you baby!!! ) I want to encourage you all to maintain a positive attitude and "think positive thoughts". If you try it... you'll see that it really works!!! :-)

So on that note... I gotta get... Need to get ready for the big day tomorrow....

Be Blessed!!

Melissa :-)

Memory stones...

"Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?'" "Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord." 

Joshua 4:5b-6, 7a

In one of my devotions that I had not too long ago I read this particular passage of scripture.  While reading this I remembered that my Mom and I started a "memory stone" box when I was younger. The artifacts or "memory stones" were to remind us of all the things that God had done for us. Each "memory stone" has a testimony and represents prayers that we prayed that have been answered. Every time that we looked at or saw the "memory stones" it reminded us of God's faithfulness. Some of the "stones" represent promises that God made to us while others represent things that God "surprised" us with. Even though we didn't have a lot at times, God ALWAYS provided and met our needs. 

While I was in Oklahoma recently, I was able to look and reflect on the "memory stones" that mom and I collected over the years. It was nice to remember what the Lord has done for us over the years. This is how our "memory stone" display looks like.

McCaw family memory stone display

 One of the "memory stones" is a letter from Victory Christian School stating that I was accepted and that someone paid for half of my tuition for all FOUR years that I was going to attend high school. Another "stone" represents the missions trip that Mom and I took to Dominica. It was a wonderful trip and one of the first of several "missions" trips that we were able to take together. There are some cards with scriptures that have special meanings to us as well. There are other "stones" I could explain, but I think you get the idea. ;-)

I really like this idea and see this as a way to take the "thankful journal" (that I talked about in an earlier post) one step further. Instead of just writing down what I am thankful for, I would like to collect "memory stones" to remind myself of how faithful the Lord has been to me. I want to always be thankful for those prayers which the Lord has answered. I would like to continue this "tradition" with my children and family. I'm in the process now of collecting "stones" to put in my own display. I find that when I don't remember and reflect on the goodness of the Lord, I tend to complain and become ungrateful about the things that I am going through that might be tough at the moment. So I think this will be a good thing to start so that I can become more grateful and mindful of the prayers the Lord has answered and the needs that He has met. 

I would like to encourage you all to take the time to reflect on the goodness of God.  I'm sooo excited and am soo grateful for ALL the Lord has done for me/us and will continue to do. He is truly awesome!!!!

Be Blessed!!

Melissa :-)